Puppy/cat relationship...how to handle?

EllenCherryCharles

We have an adolescent cat (she’s about 2-3 years old, we weren’t sure when we got her, but she definitely has some kitten tendencies still). Our puppy (Dakota) is overall pretty well behaved (thanks to all of you for the bite inhibition advice….its getting better). He likes to play with our friends’ dogs, but when he does, they play pretty rough. Lots of jumping and mouthing and wrestling. Dakota seems to think the cat is just like another dog, and wants to play this way with her. She (obviously) is not into it. I’m not really sure how to handle the puppy/cat relationship. I keep hearing that puppies that grow up with cats will (for the most part) get along with cats. I’m sort of afraid that the cat is being traumatized. I think she’s ok, but maybe you all can shed some light on what you think as far as the cat’s piece of mind, and what I should be doing to encourage a good relationship. I’m not sure correcting Dakota every time he gets near the cat is the right way to go. I’m thinking that maybe letting them sort of work it out themselves (supervised of course) might take the excitement away.

Dakota doesn’t seem to really notice the cat unless she’s walking or running around. If he sees her doing this, he’ll chase her and she’ll run to a high location (top of couch, table, cat tree). She will hiss and swat if he follows, but does not have her claws out. She follows him around the house. This may be because she wants to keep an eye on him, but H and I are starting to think she might not mind being chased. She’ll saunter by, as he’s sitting quietly and swish her tail around right in front of him. She will sniff him when he’s sleeping and if our water bowl was big enough, I have caught them almost sharing a drink. This all sounds like we are well on our way to cat/dog utopia, but when Dakota chases her, I’ve caught him nipping at her. His teeth hurt ME, and I’m worried he’ll corner her and it will hurt. I think she knows he’s a baby and has been patient, but I just wondered what your experiences have been with cat/dog relationships.

Oh, and they are separated during the day while we are at work. The cat has all day to herself. They are never together unsupervised (I’m not sure we’ll ever be at that point).

Thanks for the help!

DogAdvocat

I'm sorry if I should know this, but what kind of dog is Dakota?

EllenCherryCharles

Whoops, sorry! You wouldn't necessarily know that! He's a German Shepherd mix, we think. He may have some beagle in him (a vet tech mentioned this), but we really aren't sure. The vet is unsure as well, although she pointed out his German Shepherd coloring. I've attached a picture, and if you have any ideas as to what he is, I'd love to hear it!

DogAdvocat

Oh gee, it's so hard to tell when they are that age, but he is adorable. Ok, here's my uneducated opinion, and I say that is because I do not have cats. Your puppy, if it is a shepherd mix, is going to be quite a bit larger than your cat, and if you allow your puppy to chase your cat now, it will continue to do so, but as an adult, it can do damage to the cat. Going by the advice of a friend who does both terrier and cat rescue, she has trained her dogs, even her adult rescued dogs, that they are to leave HER cats alone. The cats can do anything they want to the dogs - clean their ears, lay on them, whatever - but the dogs are NEVER allowed to chase them, and even watching the cats walk across the floor is discouraged. She has made it quite clear by saying "MINE" whenever the dogs even look like they are interested in the cats.

Cats are just too much like prey when they run, and it can even be dangerous for the dog. Your cat hasn't scratched your pup yet, but he could, and could do damage to your dogs eyes.

But whatever you do, I'd let the cat set the pace. If she wants to be left alone, then he needs to leave her alone.

nrhareiner

I have always had cats and dog togather and have never had a problem whit them. I have 2 bothers (Cats) who are not even close to affrad of the dogs. The 2 pups I have who are 8 weeks and 11 weeks have already been put in their place by the bothers and b/c of this leave the other cats alone. Really does not help however I will agree that do not let the pup chase the cats. Just scares them (cat) and encourages the pup. Just like anything it will take time.

Heidi

Puppy & Dog Forums

 

Dawn R

My puppy was chasing the cat and being generally annoying to him. Anytime he starts, we will stand right in front of the cat and say sternly, "No! it's my cat!" And we do it every time, no hit or miss. Of course, the cat will only stand for a couple of episoes of this before running away but the dog seems to be getting the point. He's learning that bothering the cat does not please me.

nrhareiner

This is how Oatie says a cat should hanld a pup. He swares by it. Says it really does work.

Heidi

doubletrouble

What if the cat is the one doing the chasing?????? LOL!! My 1 yr old tabby had her arms around my chi outside today.....was obviously playing with the pup, even chasing the pup around, but I saw no aggression on the cats part..They were both lying on the ground and if I had a pic it would have made a great mattress commercial.....

skunkstripe

Since your cat still has her claws (thank goodness) she has a huge advantage. If she ever has "had it" with Dakota she can give him a swipe across the snout. Dogs will not foget this. My experience with introdcuing a puppy to a dog-savvy cat is that the cat will "train" the puppy to respect the cat as alpha. This is of course assuming that the dog is one without a prey drive which would make it a danger to the cat.

DogAdvocat

That's the reason I asked what kind of dog Dakota is. Though I imagine a chihuahua can do some damage to a cat too, there's a whole lot less likelihood of it than a german shepherd mix. As for yours, it sounds like great entertainment for both your pets and you.

Heidi, great picture. So sweet.

nrhareiner

Thanks I have a bunch of them. One thing about being a pro photographer is I always have a camera close by and with all the animals here there is always someting to shoot. I have 6 cats. 2 sets of siblings and I have found that is the best way to get cats is in sets. The one is this picture thinks he is a horse so taking on a pup is nothing for him. He loves the dogs and horses and loves being with them.

Heidi

babydolwv

i have a 1 yr old cat (who has been around dogs before but not enough to be totally use to them) and the pup is 4mons.... the cat will tease the dog sometimes... tring to get her to play... so i let saddie chase the cat for a few until it sounds like she maybe hurting her then i will tell her in a sturn voice "no, be easy" and she is starting to learn. As of today the min i told her that she stopped and walked away. Altho it only lasts a few mins and she was tring to go back for more, but hey its progress and it gives the cat a few mins to find a good place to go to get away from the pup... the dog seems to be learning the cat has claws tho... its to funny... once they start playing around. If saddie gets to rough ofcourse the cat will take a swing... once that starts saddie will back her butt up to the cat so she cant get to her nose... so the cat starts chewing on the dogs leg.. ha ha ha.. and saddie will stand there for a min and then start biting (only playing ofcourse) at her then the chase begins again... lol

Puppy & Dog Forums